The perfect 1 week Iceland itinerary

Iceland is definitely one of the most exotic places I have ever visited. The country is home to unique landscapes that you won't find anywhere else in the world. While one week is not enough to explore the entire island, it is enough time to discover Southern Iceland, where most of the country's main attractions are located. With the itinerary I have detailed in this post, you can experience a wide variety of stunning landscapes in just seven days, including black sand beaches, powerful waterfalls, volcanic terrain, glaciers, and geothermal hot springs. If you're lucky, you may even have the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle. It is particularly known for its dramatic natural landscapes and unique culture. The island was first permanently settled by Norse Vikings in the 9th century. Over the centuries, Iceland developed a distinctive culture shaped by its isolation, harsh climate, and Viking folklore.

Is Iceland safe?

Iceland is perhaps one of the safest and most developed countries in the world, with a very small population compared to the size of the island. You will probably see more tourists than Icelanders but we felt completely safe during our trip.

How to move around Iceland?

Although there are guided tours available, renting a car is definitely the best option if you are traveling in a group. It is often more affordable, and it also gives you the freedom to decide when and where to go.

When is the best time to visit Iceland?

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to experience. If you are looking for greener landscapes, then April to September is ideal. On the other hand, if you want snowy scenery and a chance to see the Northern Lights, then November to March is the best period. We actually had the best of both worlds, as we visited Iceland in mid-April and still got to see the Northern Lights, which was a surprise since they are usually only visible until early April.

Is Iceland expensive?

We found Iceland to be a very expensive country. Since it is an island with limited agricultural land, most food is imported, which makes eating out particularly costly. During our trip, we preferred staying in Airbnbs outside the main cities and preferred on cooking at home and preparing sandwiches rather than eating out. This alone can help save a significant amount of money. Housing and car rental can also be expensive. Aside from that, for most tourist sites, there is a parking fee to pay, usually around 10 to 15 €. That said, most locations do not require entry tickets, only parking fees.

The perfect 7 day southern Iceland roadtrip

Day 1: Reykjavík

Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland, located on the country’s southwest coast. Despite being a capital city, the city is relatively small and easy to explore.

Among the most popular things to do in Reykjavík is visiting Hallgrímskirkja Church, which has a tall, modern design inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava formations. Another popular activity is walking along Rainbow Street, a colorful street in the city center that leads up to the church.

Photo: guidetoisland.is

I personally find that one or two days is usually enough to visit Reykjavík.

For our first two nights we stayed at a really cute house 45 minutes away from Reykjavík with beautiful views to the sea.

View from the Airbnb we stayed at

As an anecdote, we arrived at Keflavík Airport around midnight. On our way to the place we had rented on the outskirts of Reykjavík, I looked out of the car window and saw these beautiful Northern Lights, which was quite surprising as we were not expecting so see them at all.

Day 2: Golden circle

On day 2, I suggest following the Golden Circle route. This is one of the most popular sightseeing routes in Iceland and includes three main stops: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls. In addition to the classic circuit, I also recommend stopping at Faxi Waterfall, a smaller but scenic waterfall located nearby.

The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, which is one of Iceland's most important historical and geological sites. The park is also famous for its unique geology, and it is located on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The scenery of the park is out of this world.

The next stop is Geysir, a geothermal area known for its hot springs and geothermal activity. Here, you will be able to see Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts every few minutes. Honestly, watching a geyser erupt is an incredible experience and not something you get the chance to see very often.

The third and final stop of the Golden Circle is Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most famous and impressive waterfalls.

The last stop of the day is Faxafoss, also known as Faxi, a wide and easily accessible waterfall located not far from Gullfoss.

On your second night you can either go back to Reykjavík or stay somewhere closer to Seljalandsfoss like the city Hella.

Day 3: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara

Seljalandsfoss

On day 3 you will visit two of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, before ending the day at Reynisfjara, a dramatic black sand beach known for its volcanic landscapes.

Your first stop will be Seljalandsfoss, which is one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls. The waterfall drops approximately 60 meters from a cliff, creating a spectacular sight. Apart from its undeniable beauty, what sets this waterfall apart is the fact you can walk behind the cascading water which is a always an exciting experience. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing, because you'll probably get wet from the mist. If you're lucky, you might even get the chance to see a double rainbow, just like we did.

Next you'll go to Skógafos, which is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland, with a width of about 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. You can climb a staircase to a viewing platform above the waterfall, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Finally, you'll visit Reynisfjara, Iceland's most famous black sand beach and one of the Iceland's most unique natural attractions. The beach's black sand was formed from volcanic lava that cooled and broke down over time. You will also be able to see impressive basalt columns. Several scenes from the TV series Game of Thrones were filmed here.

For your third night I recommend you sleep in the city of Vík which is right next to Reynisfjara

Day 4: Jökulsárlón and Diamond beach

On day 4 you will explore further along Iceland's South Coast to one of the most spectacular areas in the country: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is glacial lake filled with floating icebergs. The place is simply beautiful.

Diamond Beach is located right next to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and is famous for its black volcanic sand covered with big chunks of ice that come from the glacier lagoon. It is quite an extraordinary thing to see.

On our way to Diamond Beach from Jökulsárlón we even had the chance to see some seals swimming which was absolutely wonderful

You can spend the night in Höfn or somewhere nearby.

Day 5: Svartifoss and Hella

On day 5 you will start heading back to Reykjavík. To make the journey less tiresome, I suggest you stop at Svartifoss waterfall. The waterfall is best known for the black basalt columns that surround it, which were formed as lava cooled and cracked into geometric shapes. Reaching Svartifoss requires a short hike, but the views are worth it.

I also suggest you simply enjoy the views on the road. When you are in Iceland, you truly feel like you are in a different planet.

Instead of spending the night at Reykjavík, I suggest you sleep in Hella. Hella is a small town located away from major city lights. We stayed in a far away house in the middle of nowhere and we were in awe of the Northern Lights we saw there.

The first time I ever saw the nothern lights was in Tromsø, Norway. But what we saw in Iceland was out of this world. The colors vary quite a lot with latitude. The further north you go, the more green the aurora tends to be, while further south you are more likely to see red and purple tones. That is why in Iceland we were able to see green and purple Northern Lights, whereas in Tromsø it was mainly green.

One thing I wish I had been told sooner is that the Northern Lights don’t look the same to the naked eye as they do in images. Humans have evolved so that at night our eyes perceive mainly in black and white, so it is harder to distinguish colors. Because of this, instead of seeing the aurora as an intense green, you will most likely see it as a more gray with a faint green tint, almost like thin clouds moving across the sky.

Phones and cameras are able to capture much more light, which is why the colors appear so vivid in photos. What you see with your own eyes is usually less intense in color, which can be a bit disappointing if you are expecting something like the pictures online. This is not talked about enough, so it is something good to keep in mind. That said, it does not take away from the experience at all, because it is still incredibly magical in real life.

I would also suggest not trusting aurora apps that much. In the app it said there were no visible auroras in the area and yet the sky was full of them.

Day 6: Blue Lagoon and puffin watching

On your sixth day I suggest you visit Blue Lagoon and take a puffin watching tour.

The Blue Lagoon is perhaps one of Iceland's most famous attractions and, although I didn't personally visit because there were no tickets left, I feel like it is a must-see. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa surrounded by lava fields, where visitors can relax in warm thermal waters while enjoying the unique volcanic landscape. Make sure you book your tickets in advance.

Another activity that I wish I did is Puffin Watching. Iceland is home to approximately 60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population, making it one of the best places on Earth to observe these colorful seabirds. Every year, millions of puffins return from the open ocean to nest along Iceland's cliffs and coastal islands. Puffin season typically runs from mid-April to mid-August, with the best viewing opportunities occurring in June and July when the birds are actively feeding their chicks. You will find a many guided tours departing from Reykjavík.

Day 7: Reykjavík

For your seventh and final day, I recommend taking a whale-watching tour from Reykjavík. Tours typically depart from Reykjavík's Old Harbour, and you'll have the chance to see minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The best season for whale watching is from April to October, although tours operate year-round. We took the tour in mid-April and unfortunately didn't spot any whales, only a few dolphins. However, we were told that July is generally one of the best months for whale watching, as whale activity tends to be higher during the summer.

Reykjavík's Old Harbour

I hope you have found this guide useful! Don't hesitate to take a look at some of my other posts :)